Dasehra: Risking lives, revellers stood on rly tracks, climbed poles

Avneet Kaur

Jalandhar, October 20

The tragedy that shook the nation last evening in Amritsar has come as an eye opener for the people, though lessons are yet to be learnt.

Every year, hundreds of people in their respective villages and districts participate in such celebrations across the nation, but security arrangements at the spot are always in question. In the city, one such celebration was held at the Surya Enclave ground. Although the effigies of Ravan were burnt in the ground, but there is a railway crossing and electricity poles nearby.

The eyewitnesses say residents of the area as well passersby were seen roaming on the railway tracks, some were even sitting on electric poles, while many onlookers were standing in the middle of the NH 1, just to have a glimpse of the effigies being set afire, ignoring their safety concerns.

Meanwhile, no untoward incident had been reported, but residents say, the district administration must keep a strict vigil on such celebrations so that no such tragedy takes place again in the state again.

However, the organisers had claimed that they had celebrated the occasion in the main ground and required security arrangements were made. The police personnel were on duty and people were asked not to cross the set boundaries, but violating the rules, people were seen standing on tracks and sitting on electric poles, said an eye witness.

When contacted, ACP (Central) Dalbir Singh said, “Police officials were present at the venue during the celebrations and were keeping strict vigil on the security and arrangements”. He said the police also asked people not to stand on railway lines as well on the poles, but busy enjoying the festivity, they did not pay attention to their words.

What eyewitnesses say

Residents of the area as well passersby were seen roaming on the railway tracks, some were even sitting on electricity poles while many onlookers were standing in the middle of the NH-1 to have a glimpse of the effigies being set afire, caring little about their safety .